2024 College World Series: Day Two Recap, Day Three Predictions
Games Three and Four of the 2024 College World Series were nothing less than exceptional. We again saw a walk-off in the tournament which was yet another extra innings thriller so far in this tournament. We also saw a nail-biter in the nightcap between Florida and Texas A&M. Let’s look into Saturday’s games a little more and see what is going to happen this Father’s Day.
Kentucky 5, NC State 4, 10 innings
In the earlier game on Saturday, we saw another walk-off victory. This game has played up to par with what we’ve seen so far in the early stages of this year’s College World Series. In the 10th inning in the afternoon heat in Omaha, Nebraska, Mitchell Daly smoked a 1-2 curveball to right field to take it home for the Wildcats. Daly, a 23-year-old infielder, had a .691 OPS and only six home runs until this point, so this was no doubt his biggest hit so far in his college baseball career. This is a steaming hot Wildcats team that has no sign of slowing down any time soon, and this is the right time to do it. Kentucky’s next game is on Monday at 7 p.m. Eastern against Texas A&M.
Texas A&M 3, Florida 2
The second three to two ballgame of the day was an absolute nail-biter as the Aggies just barely escaped. Caden Sorrell and Travis Chestnut both added an RBI as the third run came in on a wild pitch. On the pitching side, Justin Lamkin, Chris Cortez, and Evan Aschenbeck added three solid innings of relief each. Due to the rain delay, which pushed the start time back over four hours, the Aggies decided to go with a bullpen game. All in all, this was a close game that was expected out of these powerhouse teams.
Now, let’s predict the Father’s Day matchups.
Virginia vs. Florida State - 2 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
After a walk-off loss to North Carolina the other night, Virginia is looking to bounce back in this game. Similarly, Florida State was walked off as well, by Tennessee, so they too are looking to change their fortune. They also may have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, as the Vols may have escaped on a controversial swing call in that game. Nonetheless, both teams are competing to keep their spot in the tournament. Florida State and Virginia are similar teams talent-wise, with Florida State being the slight favorite according to Vegas. I’m going to have to agree with Vegas here, as they already played an instant classic with Tennessee the other night and are going to want their revenge after said controversial call.
North Carolina vs. Tennessee - 7 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
This game between North Carolina and Tennessee has the potential to be the best game we’re going to see in the tournament. Tennessee comes in ranked the best team in the country, but North Carolina comes in not far behind them, ranked fourth. Both teams have been juggernauts all season, backed by stellar play all across the diamond. As previously mentioned, both won their first game of the tournament via walk-off. Vegas currently has the Vols as -195 favorites, which is pretty heavy in their odds. However, Scott Forbes’ Tar Heals are going to take down the Vols in something that is going to be nothing short of an instant classic.
